## They made signs ##

"They" refers to the people who were there for the circumcision ceremony.

## to his father ##

"to the baby's father"

## what name he wanted him to be called ##

This could be translated as "what name Zechariah wanted the baby to have" or "what he wanted his son to be named."

## He asked ##

"Zechariah asked." He must have used gestures in order to ask for the writing tablet.

## writing tablet ##

This could be translated as "something to write on." Some translators may want to add "and when they gave him one."

## very surprised ##

"amazed"